You don’t need to suffer through chest congestion symptoms while your body rids itself of a cold or flu virus. There are over-the-counter medicines that can bring you relief from those symptoms. The key, though, is to identify what other symptoms you are experiencing besides chest congestion, if any, so you can get the relief you need. DayQuil SEVERE with VapoCOOL, for example, relieves chest congestion with an expectorant, guaifenesin. It also has ingredients that relieve minor aches and pains, fever, nasal congestion, and cough symptoms from a cold or flu. Have you ever had a stuffy nose? It happens when the tissues and blood vessels in and around your nose get swollen with fluid and mucus. That makes your nose feel clogged. The same thing happens in your chest when it fills with phlegm. Some mucus in your airways is a good thing. You need it to protect and moisturize your tissues. But congestion means there’s too much mucus in your body. It builds up when you have a cold, irritated sinuses, or allergies, or when you breathe in smoke or pollutants. Long-term conditions such as cystic fibrosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or asthma can also cause mucus buildup. Here is information you can use to help you deal with it. Remedies for Clearing Mucus from Your ChestMost of the time, you don’t need a prescription to take care of congestion. Here are a few things that can help you clear your chest:
To make your own vapor rub, dilute an essential oil in water or another oil and put the mixture directly onto your skin. A few essential oils that may help congestion include:
Here’s how to mix it:
Always test the mixture on a small part of your skin to check for irritation. You can also add drops to a diffuser or steaming water and breathe in the scent. Follow the directions that come with the diffuser. But first, and always, check with your doctor before using any essential oils. Some are not safe to use on or around children. Store all essential oils and preparations in childproof containers out of reach. Just a tiny amount of essential oil can be poisonous if you or a child swallows it. Researchers have also found that some essential oils can disrupt the hormones in the body. They don’t know how this might affect children or adults. Allergic reactions are also possible. Special Coughing TechniquesThere are a couple of airway clearance methods you can try to clear your chest. These are especially helpful for everyday buildup. Your doctor may recommend them and demonstrate them for you.
Is Congestion Serious?Most of the time, congestion is just uncomfortable. It may cause a cough or a sore throat. But, if it comes with fever, weight loss, or nosebleeds, or lasts for more than 2 weeks, you should see a doctor. |